Appreciating Ted Kennedy, a Proud, Practicing Liberal

(UPDATE on May 20, 2008: I'm quite sad to report that Sen. Kennedy has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in his left parietal lobe.)

Sometimes I understand the conservative mindset. But more often, I'm genuinely puzzled about why so many conservatives just don't get it...

Two days ago when Sen. Ted Kennedy was felled by a seizure, a decades-long conservative friend called into Fox News to extol Sen. Kennedy's many private and public kindnesses to him and to others.

The caller told of Kennedy quietly making time to serve food to the homeless and hungry. Of reaching out to the caller's family in times of trial. Of many, many caring gestures, small and large, to others in need.

He told of Kennedy listening respectfully to the conservative caller's viewpoints despite their partisan divide. And he told of Kennedy's capacity to never let politics stand in the way of a good friendship.

And then, in a Fox News-ready apologetic tone, the caller added that he really admires Ted Kennedy "in spite of his liberal values."

I wanted to scream at the TV, "Those kindnesses ARE his liberal values!"

When, in 2006, Time magazine named Sen. Kennedy one of "America's 10 Best Senators," they commented that he has "amassed a titanic record of legislation affecting the lives of virtually every man, woman and child in the country."

For more than four decades in the U.S. Senate, Kennedy has been an unrelenting advocate for providing equal opportunity to the poor and middle-class, to immigrants, and especially, to all children.

And he's done so proudly, boldly, passionately... and yet, while often reaching across the partisan aisle, occasionally to the grimacing chagrin of other Democrats.

Ted Kennedy's life story has elements of a Greek tragedy, or a dramatic Old Testament tale: great triumphs and relentless tragedies, stirring heroism and a myriad of personal failings, imperfection and redemption, and always, courage, compassion, and an optimistic spirit.

When Sen. Kennedy was felled this past weekend, I realized that I couldn't conceive of the U.S. Senate, or our country, without American patriot Edward Moore Kennedy leading the charge for better wages, more jobs, better education, better health care, more affordable colleges, fairer immigration laws, and speaking out forcefully against the Iraq War.

All I can think to say is: Get well soon, Sen. Kennedy. Your country needs you... both liberals and conservatives!

Take the time to read my new Profile of Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts.

(Photo taken on July 24, 2007: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Sen. Ted Kennedy Diagnosed with Brain Tumor by Lisa Fayed, About.com's Guide to Cancer